Soul Surfer By: Bethany Hamilton
I choose Soul Surfer written by Bethany Hamilton herself, because the story line really appeals and inspires me. A nonfiction story about a young thirteen-year-old girl conquering the odds and proving everyone wrong even at the toughest, most downing time. Many know the story of Bethany Hamilton, but not many know the background, tears, and hardship that were dealt with in order for this story to become possible.
The story falls under the genre of an autobiography because it was written by the person the story is about, in this case Bethany. Now, that doesn’t mean that she had no help through the process, in fact the first three page of the book are just filled with names of people who helped and even made this book possible. She is the creator of the story and this book is basically her thoughts and her view on it, but there are still people that help make it better, People that can change the words around to make it sound more professional, people that design the cover and layout ect.
If you aren’t familiar with the story, here is a quick downplay of the main concept. Halloween morning 2008 a young teenage surfer from Kauai Hawaii arose like any other morning. Ready to out and catch some waves with her best friend Alana Blanchard, both thirteen year olds sponsored by ripcurl and competing worldwide. They headed to turtle bay with Alana’s dad and brother in order to get a quick ride in, but no later then 30 minutes in the water the morning made a quick turn that would change both their lives forever. As the two best friends lay in the clear warm waters of Kauai, waiting for the next wave, Bethany feels a quick tug on her left arm. She knew immediately what she was in the middle of and starting paddling to shore calming warning everyone “I was just bit by a shark.” When Bethany looks down she is taken by surprise to see that everything is gone up to the shoulder. With the help of some people at the beach Bethany is rushed to a hospital where she is immediately brought into surgery. It’s safe to say that the arm was not saved; she wakes up in a hospital bed surrounded by family for support. Although all Bethany is really focused on is when she will get back in the water. The doctor warns her that she lost 60% of her blood and that it’s a miracle she’s still there, he also tells her that she will at least have to wait for the stiches to come out in order to get back in the water. As much as Bethany doesn’t like that she obese his commands and returns on the board Thanksgiving Day, determined. Bethany had to work through a lot, many tears, and lots of sweat, much doubt and more. However, she never lost hope and never lost faith and worked everyday conquering everything that was trying to stop her from getting back on the board. To this day Bethany is in the top 3 for women pro rider along with a huge inspiration and motivational speaker for millions. She might only have one arm but she has accomplished way more with one arm then she ever could have with two.
Three main characters in this story would be Bethany, Alana, her best friend, and Bethany’s mother Cheri. Obviously Bethany plays the biggest role in the story but without her friends and family none of it would be possible. Alana was Bethany’s absolute best friend, ever since they were 5 they would go out and surf together every day, and not only surf they also did practically everything else together as well, even homeschooling. Cheri is basically Bethany’s motivation rock throughout the story, when things are tough and Bethany really wants to give up her mother is there to lift her thoughts and bring her back up.
I think the big idea that’s really shown in this book is just like Bethany does; when life throws obstacles in your way, don’t let that stop you. In fact, let that motivate you to work harder, let that give you a reason to keep going. And no matter what, never give up! There are going to be difficult times in your life, maybe not as drastic as loosing an arm, but this story is a perfect example of keeping faith and determination to get right back up.
Obviously, the major conflict in the storyline is the event of the attack. This is the big obstacle because the rest of the story is shaped around this one event and many struggles are formed from it. She has to reform her life because of this, not only with surfing but learning everyday tasks for daily living. Tasks as simple as tying a shoe, putting her hair up, or even cutting food were now impossible for the young surfer. The book got me thinking how much we take for granted, I can’t imagine trying to live with that lifestyle. Well, neither could she until it was no choice for her. But the young girl never lost hope, when there was something thrown at her, she ran with it. She made things that would have potentially ruined many people into amazing opportunities for herself.
Parochial- My dad got booted out of parochial school for pelting one of his sisters with an eraser.
Instinctively- He learned to surf in an instinctively sensitive technique.
Phenomenon- Then he’d find the nerves to cut them, causing them to react and reduce the potential for the phenomenon called phantom pain- the sharp feeling o ach in a portion of a limb that no longer exist in reality but still send signals to the brain.
Compensate- He also was optimistic that I would be able compensate well with one arm and the future.
Penetrates- The wave, the conditions, and the dance all come together in an expectance that penetrates you so deeply that you find yourself talking abut that ride over and over again (so often that your non surfer friends mown “oh no not again.”
The book was actually taken to the next level and produced into a high rating movie directed by Sean McNamara, with famous actors AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quiad, Lorraine Nicholson, Carrie Underswood, Jeremy Sumpter, Kevin Sorbo, Ross Thomas and many more. Robb, who started her acting career at the age of seven, was chosen for the role of Bethany from the choice of Bethany and her mother together. The family was a big part in the production of the film; they wanted to be sure that the movie was to grasp the right aspects needed including their faith and lifestyle. Like any film there was tons of work put toward this production, when people watch this movie the goal is to move them, the cast and crew worked really hard to strive that goal. Bethany has also written five devotion books along with the Soul Surfer book. Her mother Cheri wrote a book called Raising a Soul Surfer, basically giving the view of the story from the mother’s side. Bethany has been featured in many shows, magazines and short films as well. Her story line played a big roll in the movie Walking On Water, a film about a few young groms (young surfers) living the surfer’s life.
I choose Soul Surfer written by Bethany Hamilton herself, because the story line really appeals and inspires me. A nonfiction story about a young thirteen-year-old girl conquering the odds and proving everyone wrong even at the toughest, most downing time. Many know the story of Bethany Hamilton, but not many know the background, tears, and hardship that were dealt with in order for this story to become possible.
The story falls under the genre of an autobiography because it was written by the person the story is about, in this case Bethany. Now, that doesn’t mean that she had no help through the process, in fact the first three page of the book are just filled with names of people who helped and even made this book possible. She is the creator of the story and this book is basically her thoughts and her view on it, but there are still people that help make it better, People that can change the words around to make it sound more professional, people that design the cover and layout ect.
If you aren’t familiar with the story, here is a quick downplay of the main concept. Halloween morning 2008 a young teenage surfer from Kauai Hawaii arose like any other morning. Ready to out and catch some waves with her best friend Alana Blanchard, both thirteen year olds sponsored by ripcurl and competing worldwide. They headed to turtle bay with Alana’s dad and brother in order to get a quick ride in, but no later then 30 minutes in the water the morning made a quick turn that would change both their lives forever. As the two best friends lay in the clear warm waters of Kauai, waiting for the next wave, Bethany feels a quick tug on her left arm. She knew immediately what she was in the middle of and starting paddling to shore calming warning everyone “I was just bit by a shark.” When Bethany looks down she is taken by surprise to see that everything is gone up to the shoulder. With the help of some people at the beach Bethany is rushed to a hospital where she is immediately brought into surgery. It’s safe to say that the arm was not saved; she wakes up in a hospital bed surrounded by family for support. Although all Bethany is really focused on is when she will get back in the water. The doctor warns her that she lost 60% of her blood and that it’s a miracle she’s still there, he also tells her that she will at least have to wait for the stiches to come out in order to get back in the water. As much as Bethany doesn’t like that she obese his commands and returns on the board Thanksgiving Day, determined. Bethany had to work through a lot, many tears, and lots of sweat, much doubt and more. However, she never lost hope and never lost faith and worked everyday conquering everything that was trying to stop her from getting back on the board. To this day Bethany is in the top 3 for women pro rider along with a huge inspiration and motivational speaker for millions. She might only have one arm but she has accomplished way more with one arm then she ever could have with two.
Three main characters in this story would be Bethany, Alana, her best friend, and Bethany’s mother Cheri. Obviously Bethany plays the biggest role in the story but without her friends and family none of it would be possible. Alana was Bethany’s absolute best friend, ever since they were 5 they would go out and surf together every day, and not only surf they also did practically everything else together as well, even homeschooling. Cheri is basically Bethany’s motivation rock throughout the story, when things are tough and Bethany really wants to give up her mother is there to lift her thoughts and bring her back up.
I think the big idea that’s really shown in this book is just like Bethany does; when life throws obstacles in your way, don’t let that stop you. In fact, let that motivate you to work harder, let that give you a reason to keep going. And no matter what, never give up! There are going to be difficult times in your life, maybe not as drastic as loosing an arm, but this story is a perfect example of keeping faith and determination to get right back up.
Obviously, the major conflict in the storyline is the event of the attack. This is the big obstacle because the rest of the story is shaped around this one event and many struggles are formed from it. She has to reform her life because of this, not only with surfing but learning everyday tasks for daily living. Tasks as simple as tying a shoe, putting her hair up, or even cutting food were now impossible for the young surfer. The book got me thinking how much we take for granted, I can’t imagine trying to live with that lifestyle. Well, neither could she until it was no choice for her. But the young girl never lost hope, when there was something thrown at her, she ran with it. She made things that would have potentially ruined many people into amazing opportunities for herself.
Parochial- My dad got booted out of parochial school for pelting one of his sisters with an eraser.
Instinctively- He learned to surf in an instinctively sensitive technique.
Phenomenon- Then he’d find the nerves to cut them, causing them to react and reduce the potential for the phenomenon called phantom pain- the sharp feeling o ach in a portion of a limb that no longer exist in reality but still send signals to the brain.
Compensate- He also was optimistic that I would be able compensate well with one arm and the future.
Penetrates- The wave, the conditions, and the dance all come together in an expectance that penetrates you so deeply that you find yourself talking abut that ride over and over again (so often that your non surfer friends mown “oh no not again.”
The book was actually taken to the next level and produced into a high rating movie directed by Sean McNamara, with famous actors AnnaSophia Robb, Helen Hunt, Dennis Quiad, Lorraine Nicholson, Carrie Underswood, Jeremy Sumpter, Kevin Sorbo, Ross Thomas and many more. Robb, who started her acting career at the age of seven, was chosen for the role of Bethany from the choice of Bethany and her mother together. The family was a big part in the production of the film; they wanted to be sure that the movie was to grasp the right aspects needed including their faith and lifestyle. Like any film there was tons of work put toward this production, when people watch this movie the goal is to move them, the cast and crew worked really hard to strive that goal. Bethany has also written five devotion books along with the Soul Surfer book. Her mother Cheri wrote a book called Raising a Soul Surfer, basically giving the view of the story from the mother’s side. Bethany has been featured in many shows, magazines and short films as well. Her story line played a big roll in the movie Walking On Water, a film about a few young groms (young surfers) living the surfer’s life.
http://quarteronebook.wikispaces.com/Sierra
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